NOC Wilderness Survival School

Learn to Survive with the Best

If your favorite primetime entertainment includes Ray Mears Survival, Survivor, Man vs. Wild or Survivorman, or you simply want to expand your knowledge of outdoor skills to a more minimalist approach, NOC Wilderness Survival School (WSS) provides all the tools you need to learn how to thrive in challenging situations!

Our instructors will lead you through various survival and primitive skills ultimately showing you how to work with nature and its resources rather than against it.  Students will be equipped with the knowledge to recognizeand utilize the natural resources available, allowing a more natural and indigenous experience.  All classes and workshops are held outside and based at Hemlock Ridge, our privately owned woodland adjacent to Nantahala National Forest. This beautiful woodland is expertly managed; we only use temporary structures and pay special attention to Leave No Trace guidelines.

Meet Your Instructors

Our WSS staff is one of the most specialized departments at NOC! Our instructors' diverse backgrounds include international and backcountry expedition team leaders, college professors, US Army Special Operations soldiers, biologists and national primitive skills teachers.  All WSS staff hold a minimum of WEMT certification with several instructors holding certifications up to the Paramedic level.

Survival School Progression

The school offers classes from Introduction to Survival, which concentrates on the basics of survival and bushcraft to advanced survival workshops and backcountry survival instructor training.  The philosophy is one of advancement through experience.

Find out more here:

• Wilderness Survival 1
• Wilderness Survival 2: On the Move
• Survival Skills Workshops
• Specialty Courses
  • Backcountry Survival Instructor
  • Private Instruction

Recommended Gear List

All coursework requires an average level of physical fitness. The private woodland where courses take place, Hemlock Ridge, is located approximately 1/4 mile from the main NOC campus.  It is a steep climb and those unaccustomed to hiking with a day pack under these conditions may find this moderately challenging.  Please contact the NOC Survival School if you would like more clarification.

Contact Us

Call NOC Wilderness Survival School at 888-905-7238 ext. 7190.